OVERVIEW: Ezekiel’s actions illustrate the exile (chapter 12); God warns the false prophets (chapter 13); God warns Israel that judgment is inevitable (chapters 14 and 15); God reminds Israel of His grace in saving them and their decision to forsake Him (chapter 16).
HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:
God continues to call the prophet Ezekiel not only to speak His truth, but to illustrate it through outward demonstrations. Leaving with his “stuff” through the wall in 12:1–16, illustrates the captivity of Israel’s current king, Zedekiah. (2 Kings 25:1–10) Ezekiel’s trembling in 12:17–20 illustrates the desolation that Israel will experience during the exile. Perhaps one of the greatest takeaways from this section is recognizing that what God was asking Ezekiel to do in declaring His message is no different than what He asks us to do! We, too, are to speak through our actions, as well as with our words! This is the New Testament truth wrapped up in the word “conversation”. Paul tells us in Philippians 1:27: “Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ.” In other words, the way we live our lives (our “conversation”) ought to communicate a message that reflects that we have been transformed by the power of the gospel. The reality is, whether for good or for evil, we not only speak with our lips we also speak with our lives! Paul makes the distinction between speaking through our lips and through our lives very clearly in 1 Timothy 4:12, as he tells Timothy to be “an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” Obviously, our “words” are what we say with our lips; our “conversation” is what we’re saying through our life! Thus, the old adage, “What your life is saying is so loud, I can’t hear the words you’re speaking!” In light of these truths, we all would do well to ask ourselves a few very pertinent introspective questions:
- “What message am I communicating to my Savior through the life He sees me living?”
- “What message am I communicating to my family through the life they see me live in our home?”
- “What message is my life communicating to those in my sphere of influence who are lost?”
Even though Ezekiel passionately warns Israel of impending judgment, there are still those who refuse to take God seriously. Ezekiel’s audience has adopted a “proverb” (12:22) that basically said (paraphrase), “With the passing of time, every warning of Ezekiel has proven false.” God had had enough of their smart mouths and pompous attitude, and says to Ezekiel in 12:23–25: “Tell them therefore, Thus saith the Lord God; I will make this proverb to cease, and they shall no more use it as a proverb in Israel; but say unto them, The days are at hand, and the effect of every vision. For there shall be no more any vain vision nor flattering divination within the house of Israel. For I am the Lord: I will speak, and the word that I shall speak shall come to pass; it shall be no more prolonged: for in your days, O rebellious house, will I say the word, and will perform it, saith the Lord God.” In other words, brace for impact, because the hammer is about to fall! It is amazing how every generation somehow convinces themselves that they can live their lives like they want, and there won’t be consequences for their sin. The Bible is clear; sin always has a payday. (Gal. 6:7; Num. 32:23) We must be careful not to confuse God’s longsuffering with apathy towards sin.
While Ezekiel was barking about the coming judgment of God upon their nation, the other “so-called” prophets in the land were prophesying “peace and safety”. (Eze. 13:10, 16; 14:9) The people chose to believe their message further demonstrating Israel’s arrogance. We see the same thing taking place even in our times, as Paul prophesied to Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:3–4: “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”
Notice that the prophets in Israel also foreshadow the soon-coming antichrist, who will come to power at the beginning of the tribulation period, proclaiming a message of peace and safety at a time when God’s vengeance and wrath will about to be unleashed on the earth. (2 Thes. 5:3; Rev. 6:2; Daniel 8:25) Just as God’s judgment was inevitable during the ministry of Ezekiel, so His judgment will be inevitable during the coming tribulation.
Chapter 16 serves as one of the most brutally descriptive images of our sinful condition, as well as His grace! This chapter is so graphic, and so powerfully indicting upon the Jews, that some of the ancient rabbis did not allow it to even be read publicly! God likens Israel to an abandoned child who was born of wrong parents (16:3), and left for dead in a field. (16:4–5) God sees Israel lying in her own blood, and says, “Live!” (16:6) God then blesses Israel with beauty (holiness), clothing (righteousness), and jewels/crown (rewards). He anoints Israel with oil (a type of the Holy Spirit) and makes her His bride. (16:7–14) But despite God’s amazing grace, Israel prostitutes herself to other nations and other gods. She continuously involves herself in spiritual adultery. (16:15–59) Ezekiel 16:60 contains one of the most powerful and beautiful words in the entire Bible: “Nevertheless”. Despite Israel’s broken promises, and lewd spiritual adultery in God’s very face, God still remembers His covenant, and promises an everlasting covenant. What a beautiful, yet solemn picture, of the reality of our life. It’s not because of our goodness or obedience that God keeps His word to us. It is because of God’s grace. Like Israel, we, too, continually forsake our God… “nevertheless”! (Eph. 1:11–14; 4:30)
CHRIST IS REVEALED:
As the BRIDEGROOM — Ezekiel 16 (Matt. 9:15; John 3:29)